The fall season is upon us and classes are back in session. With the current fluctuating state of the economy, college students more than ever are wondering: what can I do to make myself more employable? In a recent Forbes article, Bill Conerly, indicates that there are 6 classes that can better prepare a college student for the working world and job interviews. Despite your major, these classes will help you to better understand finances, networking, and real life situations.
Economics
By taking an introductory economics course or a class focused on microeconomics (focusing on an individual family or firm and their decisions), students will be able to gain a better grasp of prices, quantity, demand, allocation, and value. If you would like to delve further into economics, you can follow this with a class in macroeconomics, which studies the decisions made by the economy as a whole.
Statistics
Statistics takes a closer look at data. It includes collecting data, sorting it, and interpreting the results. It will give you a better understanding of different variables and their relationships to each other.
Computer Programming
Take an introductory course that teaches you skills such as Java, Python, C-, and C++. Computer programming tells the computer how to carry out various instructions. By acquiring this skill set, you are learning how to read, design, and write coding for computers. It is a skill that is highly sought after by employers and can be valuable for various lines of work.
Calculus
Calculus is a form of mathematics that focuses on change in terms of derivates, limits, the rate of change, etc. It is a helpful skill in making accurate future estimates. Calculus is often the prerequisite for higher level courses in mathematics, economics, engineering, and science.
Communications
Communications is an essential class that teaches the skills necessary for interacting and networking in the business world. Although some students will begin this class with a strong background in the skills required, taking this course in college helps to further refine your ability to give eloquent speeches, to summarize lectures, and to write essays with correct grammar and punctuation.
Financial Planning & Management
This class teaches the basics of accounting as well as the ability to predict revenues and costs, often using Excel. Sometimes this course will be found on its own, while other times it can be found as a chapter within a business class. Either way, it teaches a crucial skill set that is helpful in making smarter financial decisions in the future.
These courses will help you to acquire a ground work of skills that many others will not attain until they begin their first jobs. Although we currently live in a tough economy, by taking these classes, you are gaining an advantage over the competition as you enter the job market. Best of luck in your future career!
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